Area News Briefs

Fund drive underway

ST. MARYS - The St. Marys Youth Center and the Projects Gifts for Elk County are raising funds to acquire and renovate new headquarters at the former Hoy's Radio and TV building on Erie Avenue. St. Marys Rotary Club kicked off the drive with a $2,000 donation.

The basement will be used by the Project Gifts for Elk County, while the second floor is being used for the Youth Center. The main floor will be rented to a retail business. The Youth Center occupied the old Sylvania building until 1999,

Correction

An obituary appearing in the Sept. 16 edition contained incorrect information. James S. Cassel of Emporium was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Ferris Cassel. when the city demolished the building to make way for the new fire and police stations.

Project Gifts is entering its 22nd year of helping the less fortunate children of Elk County. More than 300 young people benefited from the volunteers' efforts in 2005.

The Youth Center opened its doors earlier this month for its first event, a dance.

The group's goal is to host a dance every Saturday and band shows as often as possible. The directors also would like to be open two days a week so young people can play games and socialize. So far, the center has 10 youth directors and more than a dozen adult board members.

County home reborn

CLARION CO. - The former Clarion County Poor Farm, also known as the "county home," is being restored.

The historic landmark is located in Piney Township on a 12-acre tract of land along Route 68 and Huckleberry Ridge Road just outside of Sligo.

Leela Mata of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a celebrated teacher of yoga and meditation, has purchased the century-old building from Kirk and Elizabeth Gaudin. It will be called Pleasant Valley Ashram.

Weyerhauser donation

JOHNSONBURG - Weyerhauser's Johnsonburg mill recently donated thousands of dollars to community organizations.

Recipients included Johnsonburg Public Library, for upgrade of computer systems; Ridgway Little League, for field renovations; Elk County Community, for expanding computer systems; Kane Senior Center, for new furniture; Johnsonburg Community Trust, for summer projects; St. Marys Public Library, for a summer reading program; and Johnsonburg Volunteer Fire Dept., to help pay for a new fire truck.

Watershed issues

DuBOIS - DuBois City Council is being asked to approve timber harvesting and the application of herbicides in the area surrounding the city's main source of drinking water.

Forester Ken Kane manages the 600 acres surrounding the Anderson Creek Reservoir for Keith Horne Forestry.

The reservoir supplies drinking water to residents of DuBois, Sandy Township, Sykesville and Union Township.

The city's current plan calls for 50 acres of forest land to be put out for timber harvesting bids in the coming months. Kane has also recommended the spraying of herbicides to reduce the amount vegetation, such as ferns, on the land. He said he understands city officials' concerns about water quality, but added that he hopes City Council will consider the idea.

Landfill plan opposed

CLEARFIELD - The Clearfield County Board of Commissioners is asking elected officials in a township being targeted for a solid waste landfill not to cave in to pressure.

The commissioners last week sent a letter to the Boggs Township Board of Supervisors, requesting them not to grant a request by the landfill company, PA Waste, to change a township ordinance limiting landfill operations.

New outreach programs

ST. MARYS - Catholic Charities Center has announced three new outreach activities: an after-school program for children, a computer literacy program for adults, and a back-to-work program for women.

Funding comes from the Stackpole-Hall Foundation and the Kaul Foundation.

Volunteers, some of whom are retired teachers, will help students in the after-school program.

Heroin smuggling

RIDGWAY -- An Elk County woman charged with an attempt to smuggle heroin into the county prison will face trial following a preliminary hearing. The accused is Rebecca Pish, 28, of Ridgway.

District Judge George King ordered Pish over to stand trial on criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and of possession of drug paraphernalia charges.

King denied a motion by defense attorney, Christopher Mohney to reduce Pish's $25,000 bail.